The athletic programs at WHS are recognized for their athletic achievement and excellence. Each sport’s respective program is built on this foundation of success, but it is the commitment and dedication to teamwork behind the scenes that allows each program to thrive.
The WHS Girls Volleyball team has experienced several successful seasons in recent years, largely due to the connection and camaraderie they have built throughout the program. All three teams share a tight-knit bond, and this unity is especially fostered by the senior co-captains Audrey Stack and Emelia Dengler.
This season, the volleyball team has a 12-3 record. Last year, they finished with a 21-11 record and in the 2023-24 season, they earned a 21-5 record. Such continuous success can only be attributed to the closeness of the team, as the ability to play as a unit rather than six individuals starts with team bonding.
From the beginning of the season, the captains plan various team bonding activities such as team meals, outings, board nights, an annual car wash and the tradition of psych sisters.
“One person from each level, freshman, JV and varsity, gets put in a group, and those are your psych sisters for the season,” said Stack. The group of players gift each other snacks, candy and encouraging notes and depending on what the varsity player chooses, the exchange occurs every home game or every away game.
“Psych sisters is a pretty special thing that we do,” said Dengler, who has been on varsity for two years. “It really connects all three teams, because even though varsity and JV practice right next to each other in the same gym, we don’t really get to interact with them during practice.”
In addition to psych sisters, every year in October, the girls’ volleyball program plans a Pink Out event for breast cancer awareness. This event is planned by the captains along with parents and players from the varsity, JV and freshman teams.
“We plan this huge, successful event every year, which is great to look back on and see how much money and awareness we raise for breast cancer awareness,” added Dengler. “But at the same time, freshman, JV and varsity all play in the same gym at Pink Out, so we all cheer for each other. Having all of your psych sisters cheering for you is a really nice way to come together.”
It takes time and dedication to build a successful team, let alone a successful program, but WHS girls volleyball has done more than that: they have created a community centered around succeeding together.
The captains also plan activities and host events before games, especially as the team gets closer to the county and state tournaments. “What we do off the court translates a lot to what we do on the court, how in sync we are together, how excited we are for each other and how we lift each other up,” said Dengler.
“I really try to encourage people to feel more comfortable with others on the court and realize that one mistake doesn’t ruin the game,” said Stack. As a leader, she has strived to create an environment centered around trust and support.
The team will go forth in their season with the unity they have fostered program-wide, ultimately striving for another year of continuous success and hard-earned accomplishments.
“Lifting each other up is always the key to success for us, because volleyball is a sport that is about energy and ups and downs,” said Dengler. “Having somebody cheering for you is always going to help you succeed.”
